d what is better I have you, my fine fellow," said
Conway, turning to Calhoun. "I have long known that you were holding
treasonable conferences with the enemy, and have only been waiting for
indubitable proof. I have it now.

"Lieutenant," turning to one of his officers, "arrest Lieutenant
Pennington, and on your life see that he does not escape."

The enormity of the charge dumbfounded Calhoun. He could scarcely believe
his ears. He began to protest, but was cut short by Conway, who ordered
the Lieutenant to take an escort of ten men and to conduct Calhoun
straightway to General Bragg at Tullahoma.

"Tell the General," he said, "that I have positive proof of Lieutenant
Pennington's treasonable intercourse with the enemy. The case is so
important I thought it best to send the prisoner direct to him. As soon as
I see General Morgan I will file formal charges."

The Lieutenant seemed surprised at his orders to take Calhoun direct to
Bragg, but he said nothing, and choosing his escort, was soon on the way
to Tullahoma with his prisoner.

Major Conway's real object in sending Calhoun to Tullahoma was to bring
the case directly to the notice of General Bragg, and thus compel Morgan
to take action. He knew that his charge would not be believed in Morgan's
command, but he would see that there was plenty of evidence at the right
time.

Disarmed, under arrest, charged with the most heinous offence of which an
officer could be guilty, it is no wonder that Calhoun's heart sank within
him on that dismal journey to Tullahoma.

"Better to have been hanged as a spy by the Federals than to be shot as a
traitor by my own men," he muttered to himself. The thought of dying such
a disgraceful death was maddening.

When he arrived at Tullahoma, his reception by General Bragg was not
exactly such as he had expected. Bragg was noted as a martinet and a great
stickler for military forms. When the lieutenant who had Calhoun in charge
reported to him, and told him the verbal message which Major Conway had
sent, he flew into a furious rage.

"What does Major Conway mean by sending a prisoner to me with such a
message as that?" he sputtered. "What is General Morgan about that he has
not attended to this, and presented his charges in due form.

"Officer, take the prisoner to General Morgan, and tell Major Conway to
read up on army discipline."

If it had endangered his whole army, Bragg would have contended for rigid
adherence to milit